I Work(ed) in a Restaurant, and Now I Understand...

[IrishLake]

Oh lord. I worked in restaurants all through college. I know I have horrible stories, but I need to think of them.

I used to work at Applebee's in the summer in Sandusky (tourist town). Wednesday nights were all you could eat riblets night (barf). Well, it was bad enough that about 40% of the people who came through there barely tipped 10% because they blew all their money aat Cedar Point, but wednesdays were the worst. So one night, a table of 4 came in and the 2 men ordered the all you can eat riblets. You started out with 7 strips, and then refills had 4. These men ordered their next set of riblets as soon as their food was delivered. No problem. Riblets came out before the men were ready for them. Ten minutes later, they want more riblets because the first refills I brought out were cold. By this time, the kitchen is slammed, and it's been about 15 minutes and there are no riblets. I profusely apologized to the table and informed them that our manager was buying dessert for everyone in the restaurant who was wiating on riblets. The men were a little pleased, but still pissed that they both had only eaten 7 strips of riblets each (yet refused to eat the ones in front if them because they were cold). Finally, I am back at their table with 3 baskets of riblets refills.... and they're gone. GONE! They all had alcohol, had 2 appetizers, plus the 2 riblet meals and the 2 meals the females ate. Just over $70. Holy shit. It was the first time I ever had a dine n dash. I guess they felt that because they didn't get their riblets fast enough, they didn't have to pay for anything. Good thing my manager comped the meals and I didn't have to pay it out of pocket.